In March of that year, she released the confessional Like a Prayer, the most acclaimed album of her career. On this album, Madonna tackled many personal issues, including her struggle with growing up Catholic (the title track), her mother’s death (“Promise to Try”), failed marriage to actor Sean Penn (“Till Death Do Us Part”), and the importance of family (“Keep it Together”). Other notable tracks include “Oh Father”, “Love Song” (co-written and produced by Prince), and “Cherish”.

Upon its release, Like a Prayer was universally praised by critics as a major artistic statement, well noted for the autobiographical songwriting and improved vocals. Commercially, the album hit number one, where it would stay for a month. The title track also topped the charts, but not before running into controversy.

Before the album’s release, Madonna signed an endorsement deal with Pepsi, and the video for the title track was soon featured in a commercial titled “Make a Wish”. It was going well until Madonna released the actual video, which was blasted as blasphemous by religious groups (most particularly for the scene of burning crosses), and a boycott of Pepsi and their subsidiaries soon followed. Madonna’s endorsement deal was eventually cancelled, but she was able to keep the five million dollars advancement. Despite the controversy, the video won a MTV Music Award for Viewer’s Choice.

The album’s title track was soon followed by other hits. “Express Yourself” and “Cherish” both hit number two (and both spawned classic videos), “Oh Father” hit the top twenty (also including a classic video), and “Keep it Together” went to number eight. Like a Prayer has sold over fifteen million copies worldwide, and remains as one of the most influential albums of all time, further making Madonna one of the most important artist of her generation.

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Ryan Davis is a graduate of California State University, Sacramento, with a Bachelor's in Studio Art, and from American River College with Associate's in fine and liberal arts. In addition to being an artist himself, Davis has studied various types of art history from Asian to Modern Contemporary art. His artwork has also been featured in art galleries in the Sacramento area, where he lives in Elk Grove. Davis can be reached at ryand1913@hotmail.com.